corona virus alerts - Latest cruising Information for vessels/locations/rules

[Montanan]

Papeete, April 27th, 2020
Lightened lockdown in French Polynesia
Measures effective from April 29, 2020 until May 13, 2020.

In accordance with the measures in place to stop the spread of COVID-19 in French Polynesia, the authorities have declared a lightened lockdown from April 29 and for a period of 14 days, until May 13.

Access to the territory for all non-residents of French Polynesia is still suspended (since March 18, 2020), until further notice.
Retailers will be able to open, whilst ensuring barrier gestures are respected; restaurants and food trucks will therefore be able to reopen.
Beaches will also be open, whilst respecting social distancing, even on the seaside. Individual leisure, sports and nautical activities will therefore be allowed.
The reopening of administrations will be gradual, prioritizing teleworking where possible.
However, bars, discotheques, cinemas but also sports clubs will remain closed, collective trainings are still prohibited, as well as gatherings in public and private meetings with the extended family or friends gatherings are strongly discouraged.
Maritime and air travel between the islands is still prohibited in order to ensure active surveillance and control of the epidemic. However, access is possible between Tahiti and Moorea.
The curfew is maintained but will be shifted from 9pm to 5am.

http://https://tahititourisme.com/en-us/covid-19/

[Montanan]

South Carolina has reopened it boat ramps, beach and boating restrictions remain.

Gov. Henry McMaster announced allowing public boat docks to re-open in the state for fishing and recreation. The order went into effect April 17th. Public access to beaches, however, will remain closed.

“No more than two individuals per boat with the exception that family members from the same household. You still cannot stop your boat at any beach, island, sand bar or riverbank. You cannot tie or raft your boats together while on the water,” said Lance Cpl. Shawn Hanna with South Carolina DNR.

Families will be able to go out onto the waterways, but have to remain in constant motion. Boaters setting an anchor while on the water may only do so for recreational fishing. Large gatherings on the water, such as those possible on pontoon boats, remain prohibited.

[JPA Cate]

A number of off topic posts have been removed.

LauraleeG, and everyone else who may be wondering what on earth is going on with the moderation of this thread:

All normal CF posting rules apply, and shorter posts are preferred for this thread. However, due to the fact that the volunteer moderators are spread all over the world, and only donate a comfortable portion of their time to moderation each day, we decided not to clean up this thread. We put it in the too hard bin. But, feeling that it IS useful to cruisers to have one place to go to to follow the various openings, closings, re-openings, and re-closings of ports, we decided to try and keep this one thread open, but to dis-allow thread drift, by deleting all off topic comments. So far as I am aware, this is the only thread in this forum that is being handled this way.

So, for this thread only, we are making the effort to ensure that content will be limited to a description of the openings and closings, information useful for people in boats, preferable with links to the source.

Please cooperate with this effort on our part. And THANK YOU.

Ann

[Montanan]

On-the-water towing assistance from major fleets like TowBoatUS and Sea Tow remain active and able to respond, subject to local jurisdictional restraints and CDC guidelines.

TowBoatUS Response:

https://www.boatus.com/about-us/coronavirus


Sea Tow Response:

https://www.seatow.com/BlogList/inte...0/3/Covid%2019

[Montanan]

Freedom of Boating relies on each and everyone's responsibility.

Update from North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission:

MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR

Do Your Part - Comply With COVID-19 Restrictions - Addressing the ongoing and unfolding impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic requires unprecedented measures to mitigate the community spread of COVID-19. Each and every one of us must all work together to do our part to limit person-to-person contact in our workplaces and in our communities.

Gov. Roy Cooper issued Executive Order 121 (EO121) , which instituted a stay at home order and strategic directions for a statewide unified response to the increasing numbers of COVID-19 cases in our state. Under EO121, all North Carolinians are directed to stay at home, except as authorized in the Order. Outdoor activities are allowed under EO121; however, individuals MUST, with the full force and effect of law, comply with the following Social Distancing Requirements and Mass Gatherings requirements:

Individuals using shared or outdoor spaces when outside their residence MUST, at all times and as much as reasonably possible, maintain social (physical) distancing of AT LEAST six (6) feet from any other person, with the exception of family or household members.

Further, EO121 prohibits any events or convenings that bring together more than ten (10) persons into a single space at the same time.

Please note that local Emergency Orders may require more stringent standards. Prior to engaging in outdoor activities, check local government Emergency Orders for specific requirements.

Hunting, Fishing, Boating and many other wildlife-associated activities can be accomplished in compliance with those requirements; however, based on field observation from law enforcement and other agency professionals, many people are disregarding the requirements. Those actions raise the clear and present danger of increased community spread of COVID-19.

This is a time for each of us to work together to be part of the solution and not the problem. We are asking each of you to do your part when using any of our access areas. In order to keep these doorways to North Carolina’s public trust resources open, we are relying on the compliance of every person.

Failure to comply WILL LEAD to CLOSURES of boating and fishing access areas.

Gordon Myers
Executive Director
N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission

https://www.ncwildlife.org/News/NCWR...ngs-and-Alerts

[Montanan]

SeaTow Covid-19 Boating Protocol Guidance. Seems universally applicable where boating is allowed.

[JPA Cate]

Hello, everyone.

We received word from Horta (entry port in Horta, Faial, Azores Is.) today. Self quarantined yachtspeople are allowed to anchor in the harbor for 2 days (and they are reputed to be somewhat flexible, if the wx is too bad for people to leave).

However, the Island is covid19 free, and it is closed. However, it is possible to arrange for foodstuffs to be delivered to the boat, by mask wearing deliverers. I don't know, but imagine that fuel and water deliveries are probably possible.

Ann

[Montanan]

Originally Posted by JPA Cate

Hello, everyone.

We received word from Horta (entry port in Horta, Faial, Azores Is.) today. Self quarantined yachtspeople are allowed to anchor in the harbor for 2 days (and they are reputed to be somewhat flexible, if the wx is too bad for people to leave).

However, the Island is covid19 free, and it is closed. However, it is possible to arrange for foodstuffs to be delivered to the boat, by mask wearing deliverers. I don't know, but imagine that fuel and water deliveries are probably possible.

Ann

That is great news to hear that the Azores are remaining a waypoint for reprovisioning and offering a short respite from a long sojourn.

The Azores is closed but the country is not yet Covid-19 free.

Nota bene: There was one passenger that arrived on a flight who was tested positive and he knew he was positive having been tested in Portugal. He is being tried and will likely be sentenced to two years and 8 months in prison in the Azores.

Hopefully with their lockdown, they will be successful in eliminating the virus from the islands but will likely maintain their lockout status to avoid any reentry and subsequent resurgence. There being a natural fortress against infection having an ocean surrounding your castle.

Angra do Heroísmo , May 03, 2020

Press release from the Regional Health Authority

The Regional Health Authority reports that the 401 tests conducted by the two laboratories of reference in the Azores did not detect any positive case of COVID-19 in the last 24 hours.

Another four recovered cases were recorded on the island of São Miguel, corresponding to four females aged between 28 and 58.

Pandemic prevention and containment measures should be maintained and reinforced, whenever possible, by citizens, private and social organisations, and by the social sector.

As of now, 143 positive cases for infection with the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, which causes the COVID-19 disease, have been identified in the Region, with 53 recovered cases, 14 deaths and 76 active cases: 58 on São Miguel Island, two on Terceira Island, four on Graciosa Island, two on São Jorge Island, five on Pico Island and five on Faial Island.



As of yesterday, May 2, there were 763 cases in the Autonomous Region of the Azores awaiting results, of which 283 have already given negative results for Coronavirus and 479 continue to await the collection of biological samples and laboratory analysis. Of the 763, one had a positive result, already reported yesterday, being an 87-year-old woman from the Northeast Nursing Home.

As of midnight today, May 3, 376 new suspected cases were reported, 140 of which were negative and 236 awaiting collection or laboratory analysis.

Terceira Island has not registered new positive cases of Coronavirus since April 2 (31 days), Graciosa since April 18 (15 days), São Jorge since March 22 (43 days), Peak without cases since April 7 (27 days) and Faial since March 29 (36 days).

Since the beginning of the outbreak, 8,454 people have been tested as potentially positive for Coronavirus, with 7,596 having a negative result, 715 awaiting a result, 76 are found to be positive, 53 have recovered and there are 14 deaths.

https://covid19.azores.gov.pt/?p=4609

[Auspicious]

Originally Posted by JPA Cate

We received word from Horta (entry port in Horta, Faial, Azores Is.) today. Self quarantined yachtspeople are allowed to anchor in the harbor for 2 days (and they are reputed to be somewhat flexible, if the wx is too bad for people to leave).

Pulling existing data: Midatlantic Yacht Services (MAYS) has been providing support to yachties for many years. They have come up with some pretty creative solutions over the years. Owner US expat Duncan Sweet +351 968 936 270 is the best local contact I can think of. In 2006 (yes, yes, a long time ago) he tracked down some material I needed and drove across the island to pick it up for me; he charged cost and didn't charge for gas.

[Montanan]

Countries are beginning to envision and establish the plans and criteria for a Phased Reopening of their economies and of a loosening of their internal travel and thence their external border restrictions. All are contingent on Public Health metrics and the evolution of the virus. International travel will be the towards the last to reengage.

By way of example:

"As with the rest of Europe there is still no talk of international tourism in Spain. The country has outlined a phased zero-to-four-step program out of quarantine with travel between regions as the last step. Barcelona, a major cruise-ship hub, and Madrid have been so hard hit by the country’s coronavirus crisis that they barely qualify for step zero. If all goes well, domestic travel between the 17 regions of Spain may happen after the end of June."

Above snipet from: A European Summer Without Tourists? The New Reality Sinks In
Gregory Beals
The Daily Beast May 4, 2020

http://https://www.yahoo.com/news/eu...084325207.html

A second reference example:

Reference post #1349 for the summary of the phases of domestic reopening of The Bahamas, with hurricane preparedness presently being on the front end of efforts since the season begins in one month, and leading to an eventual reopening of international tourism with no timeline slated for such.

All seemingly directed to establishing a New normal, not the return of the Old normal.

[Montanan]

Trinidad and Tobago / Grenada "Outside the Box"Insurance Coverage Destinations:

I have a friend who has been at anchor for more than a month unable to progress towards Trinidad and Tobago so as to have his vessel hauled out and placed on the hard for the hurricane season at a boatyard he has reservations with and has used in past years. I've been reading and watching the Ministry of Health of T&T presentations and comments to get a gauge as to how that country might progress forward from their present lockout and lockdown protocols.

Today's Ministry presentation, indicate that they are now progressing towards preparedness for the onset of the rainy season which begins at the start of June and which onset of moisture and flooding induces their associated seasonal outbreak of the likes of Dengue Fever, Leptospirosis and Zika virus. And of course there being the prospect of having infrastructure damaged by a tropical storm or a hurricane.

Note that T&T is generally considered to be "outside the box" as to named storms for qualification of insurance policy damage and liability claim coverage, so T&T is a popular place for Caribbean cruisers to find comparatively safe harbor and to be placed on the hard for the storm season.

Of keen concern noted today by the Ministry of Health officials is that they need to become prepared to handle the worst of simultaneous disasters, which is a combination of Covid-19 resurgence [their first wave has been tamped down and the remaining patients are nearing complete recovery], as well as the onset of an epidemic of the ordinary rainy season diseases, and a loss of health care resources and associated spike in health care demand arising from a major storm event. The country's policies and protocols are being evaluated by the challenging requirements of being able to deal with the combination of adversities, which prospective combination seemingly makes dealing with Covid-19 alone, like taking a walk in the park.

Since March 22, the country has closed its borders, air and seaports, completely to both national Trinbagonians and non-nationals alike. There being 330,000 Trinbagonians diaspora and 260 Trinbagonians that are crew on cruise liners that are not allowed to repatriate to T&T.

T&T is being aggressive [and to date quite successful] with its domestic social distancing / isolation and has completely isolated the islands from international contacts influence potential.

Hurricane season is approaching in the Caribbean, but there is no public sign of reopening of the various islands' borders in the near future. The threat of major storms is not imminent, but at some point in time will become a localized matter of urgency.

Grenada is the island next up the chain [also "outside of the box" for many vessel insurance policies] and the vessels stuck at anchor on that island have socially banded together to form an association of cruisers that they call Grenada Lima and there is a website at which cruiser can register themselves and their vessels.
Link: https://grenadalima.com/
And link: https://m.facebook.com/story.php?sto...=page_internal

A representative for the Grenada Lima cruisers have initiated discussions with Grenadian Government officials about the potential of allowing for at least the limited number of vessels that have registered at GrenadaLima to be allowed to haul out on Grenada to seek shelter on the hard for the coming storm season. The breaking of the remain-at-anchor quarantine to allow for removal of the limited set of vessels and disembarking of shipboard persons onto the isle is being discussed within the government but has not yet been granted and remains uncertain. Obviously a worrisome situation to be in for cruisers, given the inability to readily sojourn from the isle and not presently being welcome on the isle.

It seems to behove cruisers stuck at various islands in the Caribbean to perhaps model the group of cruisers at Grenada and to also form their own adhoc "Lima" association and see if they can collectively negotiate with the government for being able to be granted the privilege to be hauled out and secured on the hard in preparation of the storm season. Under pandemic protocols, one can sit idle at anchor until hell freezes over, or a hurricane makes harbor fall. Now at the beginning of May would seem be the time to seriously pursue entry rights and plans for settling in for duration of hazardous weather, [AND the associated increase in exposure to all the typical rainy season diseases].

Just a safety reminder, for those of you who are of child bearing age [men and women], many places in the tropics are at risk locations for Zika which can be devastating to gestating infants. Recommend that family planning protocols should also be implemented in that regard as well as mosquito bite prevention, while you are undergoing social distancing from others. Specifically as to the Zika Virus in Trinidad and Tobago, on a moderately favorable note, the U.S. Center for Disease Control has reduced T&T's status from the previous Warning - Level 3 "Avoid All Non-Essential Travel" advisory, to Alert - Level 2, Practice Enhanced Precautions travel advisory for that virus. But with Covid-19 protocols, as to T&T and many locations, essentially a Level 4 is in place, NO TRAVEL IS ALLOWED.

Godspeed to all during this pandemic and Lima times. The At Quarantine, Lima signal flag is depicted below. I'm pretty sure that we will be glad to see that signal flag not being required to be flown yet again. Free pratique never sounded so good.

So looking for to the days when the only Corona of relevance was a cold Corona with a Lime. Fondly recalling the days of socialization instead of social distancing; back when the norm for occupancy was six for drinks, four for dinner and two to sleep over onboard a yacht. The norm for the foreseeable future will be only cohabitants permitted to embark.

[Montanan]

Evolution of Covid-19 Test, Trace and Isolate [TTI] Protocols - What the New Normal Likely Will Be.

Scotland has provided some guidance and vision for TTI, and particularly as to the implications reisolation.

People will have to 'repeatedly self-isolate for 14 days at a time' under virus contact tracing drive.

Simon Johnson
The Telegraph May 4, 2020

Link:
https://www.yahoo.com/news/people-re...160833255.html

"People will be asked to repeatedly self-isolate for 14 days at a time if they inadvertently come into contact with strangers found to have coronavirus, Nicola Sturgeon has warned.

The First Minister said they will be contacted and told to self-isolate, possibly away from their families in a hotel, if they have been in close proximity to a suspected carrier.

She raised the scenario of someone returning to work after secluding themselves for 14 days, only to be informed they have to self-isolate for another fortnight because they have unintentionally come into contact with a second carrier.

Unveiling a "track-and-trace" blueprint at her daily media briefing, she said it was possible "all of us will find ourselves being contacted and told to isolate on multiple occasions".

Admitting this would be "really tough" for the public to accept, she said this could happen even if the individual does not know the Covid-19 carrier and is unaware of having any contact with them."

. . .

The document said Scotland will have to increase its daily testing capacity to 15,500 to support the strategy, up from around 8,350, and a small army of around 2,000 contact tracers will need to be recruited.

They will attempt to identify anyone who has been within 2 meters of a confirmed Covid-19 case for at least 15 minutes, who be asked to go into isolation to help prevent the virus spreading further.



So the prospect of enforced and renewed self isolation behoves all of us to keep very vigilant as to social distancing and to greatly reduce the potential of making any and all contacts, truly evaluating whether the undertaking of a risk of a contact is truly essential. ESSENTIAL in Caps.

Realize that you may be required to undergo self-isolation, but that you also may invoke others to undergo self-isolation. Everyone could be a vector, don't play shadow tag with a potential vector or be the potential vector.

[Montanan]

Japan to extend state of emergency until end of May

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Monday he had decided to extend the nationwide state of emergency to May 31.

During a meeting with the Japanese government's coronavirus task force, Abe said he will review the situation in mid-May to see whether the order can be lifted earlier.

[Montanan]

Travel Ban for Those Entering the Province of Newfoundland Comes Into Effect Today

May 04, 2020

The travel ban on all people arriving in Newfoundland and Labrador from outside the province comes into effect today.

The provincial government says as of today, the only people allowed in the province are:

– Residents of Newfoundland and Labrador;

– Asymptomatic workers and individuals who are subject to the updated exemption order that came into effect on April 22nd;

– People who have been permitted entry to the province in extenuating circumstances, as approved in advance by Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Janice Fitzgerald.

Those entering must prove they are residents by showing a valid ID.

These IDs include a government of NL driver’s license or photo identification card with address of principal residence and one of a valid MCP card; valid NL Motor vehicle registration certificate; 2018 or 2019 CRA income tax return identifying Newfoundland and Labrador as their province of residency; or bank/credit card statement with NL address.

Those who do not have government of NL driver’s license or photo identification card must show the same from another provincial, federal or state jurisdiction and one of the others like valid MCP as mentioned above.

Health Minister John Haggie says if you do not normally live in the province, you need to have some specific reason for coming here, but documentation to prove that will be needed. He says that could include medical or health reasons, compassionate grounds, or being an essential worker. Haggie says if you’re coming for a vacation or to visit a seasonal home, then this year is not the year for you.

Further clarity around the travel ban is expected this week.

The document outlining the special measures can be found here:
https://www.gov.nl.ca/covid-19/files...Travel-Ban.pdf

[Montanan]

President Macron advises French Citizens that there will be limits against international travel during the summer.

It's still too soon for the French to consider their much-cherished summer vacations, President Emmanuel Macron said Tuesday.

Macron also cautioned citizens against planning international holidays.

We haven't won the battle against the virus," he said. "It has slowed down. We are entering a new phase. It is too early to talk about vacations.”
Macron added: "We are going to limit all international travel, even during summer vacation. We will stay among Europeans ... maybe as the epidemic evolves, we'll even have to reduce that a little more, but it is too early to tell. We will know in early June."

https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/...ntl/index.html